Asked and answered; what you want to know about breast cancer

KSAT brought your questions directly to experts at the 2021 SABCS

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels)

SAN ANTONIO – It’s the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and this week, it was center stage at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

The four-day event takes place this week at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Hundreds of doctors, researchers, and patients from around the world are participating, either in person or virtually.

Several viewers had specific questions for experts, and our KSAT team got the following answers.

  • How do we know if we have dense breast tissue? Can that delay a diagnosis? Viewer question answered by Dr. Debra Patt, an oncologist at Texas Oncology.
  • Does alcohol increase/contribute to breast cancer? Viewer question answered by Dr. Debra Patt, an oncologist at Texas Oncology.
  • If radiation seeds can be implanted in prostates for men to combat cancer, why can’t there be a seed for breast cancer, to avoid chemo? Viewer question answered by Dr. Debra Patt, an oncologist at Texas Oncology.
  • Dr. Virginia Kaklamani, professor of medicine at UT Health San Antonio, answered the viewer question: “Are any research/advancements being done to eliminate HER+ permanently?”
  • What if you have naturally high estrogen levels? Would you recommend an estrogen blocker and genetic testing? Dr. Alastair Thompson, Breast Surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine answered this question from a viewer:
  • I’m a 37-year-old female, [and] was diagnosed with DCIS this past May. Cancer does not run in my family…what are my chances of return? Dr. Alastair Thompson, Breast Surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine answered this viewer’s question:

Do you have any questions you’d like KSAT anchor Stephania Jimenez to ask researchers? Let us know below!


About the Author

Stephania Jimenez is an anchor on The Nightbeat. She began her journalism career in 2006, after graduating from Syracuse University. She's anchored at NBC Philadelphia, KRIS in Corpus Christi, NBC Connecticut and KTSM in El Paso. Although born and raised in Brooklyn, Stephania considers Texas home. Stephania is bilingual! She speaks Spanish.

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